Honeymoon in Maui - June 2005

Honeymoon in Maui - June 2005 - Page Text Content

1: Our Honeymoon Adventures in Maui - Summer 2005

2: After our tropical-inspired wedding, we had a week of fun and relaxation in Maui

3: DAY 1 When we arrived, we ate a buffet lunch at the Hideaway near Kahuli Airpot, then headed out to Ioa Valley. The rainforest's landmarks are the needle, Asian replicas, and nature museum. Most memorable were the 12 feral cats.

5: From the balcony of our waterfront hotel Lahaina Shores, | we had an amazing view of the sunset and a daily luau show.

6: DAY 2 The next day, we gave our camera a break and took in the sights. First we enjoyed a welcome breakfast at our hotel. We then began booking tours for the rest of the week. After reading about a discounted Molokini tour and show package, we agreed to a notorious timeshare presentation. | In spite of a free lunch and the moves of a greasy Satan-like salesman, we were able to resist and escaped unscathed. We then went tidepooling and had some snorkeling practice at Kapalua Bay. Before seeing the Ulalena show on Hawaii's history, we had a delicious dinner of seafood risotto, butterfish, and lava cakes at the legendary Roy's.

7: DAY 3 Helicopter ride and van tour of old Hawaii: HANA

8: Seated next to the pilot, we got prime viewing of the sights below

9: Soaring over the eerie remains of the once-active Haleakala volcanic crater | Overhead, we watched water snake its way through thick forests to the ocean

10: Hana is known for winding roads that lead to unspoiled natural beauty, wading pools, waterfalls, black sand beaches, and the preservation of Hawaii as it used to be.

11: Instead of battling more than 600 twists and turns on the road, we opted for a van tour. Our guide took great care of us and was proud and passionate about his heritage. We enjoyed a romantic picnic lunch of smoked chicken, beachside.

13: A souvenir bouquet from the tropical flower farm

14: DAY 4 - Face to face with a squid, snorkeling off Ulua beach - Eyeing art at the Grand Wailea Resort - Discovering yummy poke, fish and chips, and smoothies at Eskimo Candy in Kihei

15: DAY 5 In the morning we headed out for our boat trip to "Turtle Town" and the cresecent-shaped crater island, Molokini. Swimming with the bold znd friendly turtles, they came so close I had to swim backwards to not touch them. The deep waters surrounding Molokini were a bit rough but amazingly clear. On the ride back, we laid on the boat's trampolines, suspended above the water. It was both thrilling and aching to be bounced over the crashing waves.

16: From the top of the water's surface, you can see Molokini Island and the backs of our new friends.

19: After our boat trip, we visited the Maui Ocean Center Aquarium. Tons of fish were packed into each display. Some of the most memorable specimens were the frogfish, the gobi cleaning out the gills of a much larger fish, and Hawaii's unoffical state fish, the Humuhumu-nukunuku-a-pua'a.

21: DAY 6 Our second boat trip was to the island of Lanai. This time, we rode on the edge of a smooth, fun, and fast raft. We knew our tour would include dolphin sighting, but we were surprised by the hundreds that showed up! Our guide was excellent in giving close-ups of the lava tubes and caves, sharing Hawaiian mythology, and testing out the deep snorkeling waters. For dinner, we had delicious seafood tapas at Mala.

22: DAY 7 Saving the best for last, we were fortunate to | ride SKyline's five ziplines near the Haleakala crater!

23: Part of the fun was crossing the suspension bridges over the forest. | In the afternoon, we continued the adventures with surf lessons. That's hard work!

24: Our last night in Maui was on the 4th of July. We had a delicious dinner on the waterfront at Pacific 'O. The yummy dishes included a duck dumpling consume with homemade kimche, seared scallops in rice rolls, the "Bling Bling" - lobster filet and roasted potatoes, and a melontini to top it off. As our dinner was ending, the sound of fireworks called us outside, where we sat in the sand and watched the lights and stars above us.

26: After we arrived back home, we got a glimpse of treasures that would help us build our new life together...

27: . ..and a preview of the year to come...